Russian armed forces have completed preparations for large-scale mechanized attacks during the autumn period in the southern sector of the front and are actively deploying armored vehicles to starting positions for an offensive. This was stated by Anastasia Shevchenko, the deputy spokesperson for the "South" group of forces, in a commentary to Ukrinform.
Transition to Heavy Equipment After a Long Pause
According to the Ukrainian side, Russian units are resuming the use of heavy armored vehicles after a few months of relative quiet in this sector. The enemy's military command is transferring vehicles to positions from which offensive operations are planned to begin. Meanwhile, large-scale assaults along a wide front are not currently taking place, with the focus shifted to infiltration tactics.
In addition, assault operations involving small infantry groups actively utilizing maneuverable motor vehicles, including quads and motorcycles, continue in the operational zone. This approach allows the enemy to move quickly along the contact line, although Ukraine's Defense Forces keep logistics under constant fire control.
The Hottest Huliaipole Sector
The most tense situation is recorded in the Huliaipole sector, where a significant enemy force is concentrated, comprising elements of several combined arms armies of the Russian Federation. Between 10 and 20 combat clashes are recorded here daily.
The enemy is attempting to break through defenses near the settlements of Rybne, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, Kosovtsevo, Ternovate, Verkhnia Tersa, Horke, Charivne, Zaliznychne, Omelnyk, Novoselivka, and Yehorivka. Ukrainian units are conducting counter-battery fire and thwarting advance attempts.
Casualty Statistics and Defense Strategy
Ukraine's Defense Forces report heavy enemy losses in the southern sector of the front. According to official data from the "South" group of forces, since the beginning of October alone, over 3,000 enemy servicemen have been eliminated, and about 1,300 weapons and military equipment units have been destroyed.
The Ukrainian command assures that logistics routes and advancing columns of equipment are promptly detected by reconnaissance and targeted by artillery and drone strikes, denying the enemy any expectation of easy progress.
Significance of Resuming Mechanized Attacks
The activation of armored vehicles in the south may indicate an attempt to break the positional nature of hostilities before the onset of cold weather and worsening conditions. The success or failure of these plans will determine the configuration of the front in the Zaporizhzhia and adjacent directions for the coming months.
